UChicago/Hyde Park = Dangerous?

newmassdad
Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:54:03 +0000

Hyde Park dangerous? Let me tell you my latest experience and decide for yourself.

I was at UofC first from 1980-83, as a post doc and then MBA student. Never had any problems. Daughter was an undergrad from 2003 to 2008. Other than bike theft (piece by piece it seemed!), no problems. I had a sabbatical year at UofC, living in Hyde Park. No problems.

I’ve lived in Washington DC for the past 7 years. Two weeks ago, walking up Connecticut Avenue from the metro stop near National Zoo, at 5 PM in the afternoon, I was mugged while on a crowded sidewalk, jumped from behind, forced to the ground, beaten on the head etc. Fortunately, the perp did no lasting damage.

Keep in mind that the area is considered one of the safest in DC. So stuff can happen anywhere, anytime to anyone. Don’t blame Hyde Park for the random stuff that can happen anywhere.